Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: sunjan on February 01, 2011, 02:34:20 PM

Title: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: sunjan on February 01, 2011, 02:34:20 PM

Hey all,

I'm just starting to get some use for my A51s LE cards, and I'm currently running them on a plain T-bar.
Went to a basement club last week where the ceiling was only around 2,10 meter high (or 7 feet).
How close to the ceiling can I actually place the mics, without the proximito to ceiling affecting the soundfield?
What's your experience?

Title: Re: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: acidjack on February 01, 2011, 03:13:12 PM

I'd try at least getting a foot or two of clearance; as much as you can before you are obstructed by bodies.  You'll get some reflections no matter what.

Title: Re: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on February 01, 2011, 03:59:31 PM

Is the ceiling a solid surface or ceiling tile?  Ceiling tile will be more forgiving.  If it is a hard surface, you want to be as far away as possible, or be directly against the ceiling (Boundary effect) Though I think that a smaller diaphragm microphone would be more appropriate for boundary...

Title: Re: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: Gutbucket on February 01, 2011, 04:04:59 PM

If there will be people standing around you'll have very limited headroom and will need to get as high as possible.  Don't worry about being too close to the ceiling.  I've made great recordings with my mics laying on the stage surface.  The ceiling is the same just inverted.  :P

Mount them upside down on the bar, point them down somewhat towards the action and raise that sucker to the roof (so that the XLRs are within an inch or two of the of the ceiling).

The other way to go is to mount them nomally and get them as close to the ceiling as possible (just shy of touching to avoid vibrations), in the boundary zone.  IME, direct proximity to a flat surface like the floor or ceiling can carry a nice direct clarity farther than you'd expect in free air.

Title: Re: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: ethan on February 01, 2011, 04:27:31 PM

I agree with Gutbucket. Just plan on running a high pass filter in post production. Obstruction by bodies and heads is way worse than being too close to the ceiling.

Title: Re: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: sunjan on February 01, 2011, 04:31:49 PM

Gutbucket, very clever advice to mount the mics upside down! Great suggestions from you all.
In this particular club, the ceiling is covered with acoustic damping panels, don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I don't tape there very often anyway.

Title: Re: Clubs with low ceiling, how close can I run my mics?
Post by: Gutbucket on February 01, 2011, 04:38:46 PM

Quote from: sunjan on February 01, 2011, 04:31:49 PM

acoustic damping panels

Probably a good thing, especially if the mics aren't right up against the surface, maybe even if they are.